In Honor of Zaida

Zaida’s Story

Zaida (ZAY-da) turned 3 in September 2007. We learned she has cancer on October 31st, 2007. After eight very difficult and scary days in the hospital, we learned it was peritoneal carcinomatosis, resembling ovarian cancer and mesothelioma (neither of which should happen to a 3-year-old). She is now 10 and still an energetic and bright girl, even after all she has been through.

Click on 'Read More' below for more information about Zaida and how to DONATE TO ZAIDAdirectly through Zac's Legacy where the money will go towards her medical care.

Using this "Donate Today" button will allow you to donate to CaringBridge, NOT TO ZAIDA AND HER FAMILY!!!

Zaida has been a cancer patient for over 7 years! She had 3 years of various chemos and significant surgeries. After this, we had 22 months of remission, treatment-free! Zaida relapsed in April 2012, and had surgery and radiation (first time for radiation) over the summer. Then, she had 2 years of post-radiation chemo, and again went off-treatment this past October.

In December 2014, we learned that Zaida was having another relapse, and we must fight cancer again. We are heading to MD Anderson where Zaida will have a lengthy surgery and hospital stay in April.

Zaida has a sister Runa (age 12) who is wonderful and supportive! They both love Minecraft, My Little Pony Friendship is Magic, Pokemon, The Legend of Zelda, Harry Potter, fairies, magic, and animals.

Please help support us in creating history - by helping us beat this unique illness. We welcome your love and support. Please sign our guestbook and read our journal.

Nichol has also started a home-based business to help with medical costs. Please visit www.facebook.com/HandmadeByNicholMattson and consider purchasing some handmade soap or hand-crocheted scarves. They make wonderful gifts!

Latest Journal Update

PET/CT Results

Zaida had a PET/CT scan on June 30th, basically from head to toe. The good news is that there was nothing surprising. She has 4 spots of concern. One is in the front of her chest, where they performed the biopsy. Three are in the lower chest wall. There is nothing in her bones, abdomen, or elsewhere in her body. The doctor sent the scan to MD Anderson, and we are still waiting to hear from them. Presumably, we will get another surgery scheduled and go from there. It's painful to have to put her through this again. It will be difficult and ugly, but we are going to do it.

We still think the vinorelbine is helping control the cancer, based on the CA-125 levels. Getting the test at two different labs is frustrating, as we cannot compare the numbers. Here they are, separated by which lab they are from:

Labcorp:

5/26/15 - 134.2

6/8/15 - 105.4

6/15/15 - 70.9

6/29/15 - 72.3

7/6/15 - 62.9

7/13/15 - 62.7

There is a decent trend going down, and that's what we want!

Infusion Center in Denver:

5/13/15 - 67.5

6/2/15 - 78.6

6/23/15 - 94.6

And these are going up. What the hell?

Since there is more data from Labcorp, it is reassuring, anyway. Zaida missed chemo this week due to low ANC, but overall, she is doing just fine. She never gets sick, never feels too tired, and doesn't have pain. You would never know she is sick, and for that we have always been thankful.